Who Will Step Up Now That Al Wilson Is Gone?

Apr/19/07 09:00 AM Filed in: DJ Williams
D.J. Williams (76 tackles, 1 sack) Take money and health out of the equation and the main reason Al Wilson is no longer a Denver Bronco is to get Williams on the field more often. After an awesome rookie campaign, Williams digressed a bit the past two seasons and never seemed to fit in to Larry Coyer's defensive schemes. It became obvious right off the bat that it was going to be different for Williams under new Definsive Coordinator Jim Bates, who loves to coach aggressive, freak athletes like Williams. It appears to many that Williams will get the first crack at replacing Wilson inside, a better fit, in my opinion, than the outside. Williams was known for running himself out of position, but on the inside should be freed up to just go make plays, sideline to sideline, similar to Brian Urlacher in Chicago. Whether or not Williams can handle the mental aspect of being a middle linebacker remains to be seen, but there is little doubt Williams can physically do it all.
To say the situation at linebacker for the Broncos is thin would be a major understatement. There is plenty of time for more moves, with guys like Jonathon Vilma reportedly available (we can only dream), and of course the draft, expect the Broncos to add depth. There is some intriguing talent on the roster, though untested, and until guys like Hollowell, Louis Green and Caeron Vaughn get into real-game action the situation at linebacker will be one of concern.

Nate Webster (11 tackles) Webster was on his way as a linebacker, signing a lucrative contract with Cincinnati before the 2004 season only to see it all come crumbling down because of knee injuries. Webster missed 13 games in 2004, then all of 2005 before being signed by the Broncos prior to last season. Webster spent much of the season getting back into game shape, though he did start the season finale against San Francisco. I get the feeling the team saw enough of Webster to feel confident he could be a major contributor next season, even with the proposed move of D.J. Williams inside.
(cbs4denver.com)